POLAND SPRING -During two days of voting that begins today, more than 200 Poland Spring water bottlers will decide whether to keep their union.

The union, United Food and Commercial Workers, has represented the employees for about 18 years. Workers unhappy with the amount of contact between them and Local 1445, which is based in Dedham, Mass., called for the vote.

“There were a number of concerns, in particular the desire for more local access and services,” said Doug Belanger, vice president-director of Local 1445. He said numerous meetings with the members since the petition for a vote was filed have resolved many of those issues.

Specifically, a desire for more contact with union leadership has prompted local quarterly meetings between members and leadership. Also, union leadership has agreed to reinstate elections for stewards rather than appointments, and to provide local training for stewards. Belanger said two labor instructors with the University of Maine are training stewards on issues such as job rights, labor law and dealing with grievances.

“The good thing about this is it brings attention to their concerns,” said Belanger.

On the downside, he said, it gives the company an opportunity to lobby for the union’s ouster. Belanger said Poland Spring management has rejected offers to debate the merits of the union before membership, and has purposely deflected attention from real issues.

“The company has been heavily involved in running a campaign of distraction and misinformation, rather than specific issues,” said Belanger.

He said, for example, the company was telling employees that the union supports a referendum question that would impose a Maine tax on bottled water. Belanger said the union has always opposed the measure because it could hurt workers, and offered a letter from Gov. John Baldacci as proof.

Jane Lazgin, corporate spokeswoman for Poland Spring, said the company has engaged workers in discussions, but only “in an appropriate and legal manner.” She said her understanding of the water tax matter was that the union had not made its position clear.

“We were just asking the question whether it was opposed (to the tax),” she said.

She also noted that the union vote was initiated by its membership, not the company.

“We’re trying to support employees so they can make an informed decision,” she said. “This is an important matter. It will affect future relationships with the company and the union.”

UFCW represents about 15,000 workers in the New England, primarily in food, service and retail industries. Local employees, most of whom work 12-hour shifts, can cast a vote Nov. 30 or Dec. 1. Belanger said the two-day vote was designed to accommodate the workers’ schedules.